Chapter 157: Various Thoughts
Taoranju.

Li Weiran also approached Taoranju’s chef Liang Jing.

This decadent man still did nothing but drink alone, with sleepy eyes, living one day at a time.

Li Weiran got angry when he saw him. He took a deep breath and said, "You should have heard that Xu Qing, the winner of the special chef assessment, is going to recreate the dishes he made so that everyone can taste them."

Liang Jing nodded casually and said, "What does this have to do with me?"

"This is a good opportunity! As long as I can reproduce the dishes I made in the special chef assessment, I will definitely be able to restore Taoranju's reputation."

Liang Jing was silent for a while, then said, "Aren't you afraid of Taoranju's reputation?"

"What are you afraid of?" Li Weiran asked doubtfully.

Liang Jing sighed softly, "I'm afraid that Taoranju's reputation will drag you down. Your ability still meets the requirements of a top-grade chef, and you have a letter of recommendation from Chef Long. You have a bright future ahead of you, so there's no need to get involved in this mess."

"Taoranju is not muddy water!"

Li Weiran was filled with anger.

Liang Jing shook his head and said, "In the eyes of others, Taoranju has long been dirty. In order to make a profit, they use dirty means to frame their peers and spread rumors everywhere. Who would be willing to come to such a restaurant?"

Li Weiran said loudly: "I don't believe Tao Ran Ju would do such a thing! I don't believe you would do such a thing! I don't understand why you don't refute it? Why don't you argue for yourself? You do nothing and let Tao Ran Ju fall into such a desperate situation!"

Liang Jing sighed, "What's the point of arguing? This is a fact. It's a fact that he framed his peers, and it's also a fact that Tao Ran Ju profited from it. No matter who the culprit is, the result will not change."

This incident was like a thorn that stuck deeply in Liang Jing's heart, causing him to feel pain all over his body and unbearable pain whenever he thought about it.

Li Weiran looked at Liang Jing's painful expression. He understood that there was too much pressure and pain hidden behind the chef's decadent appearance.

In the pursuit of perfection, Li Weiran admits that he is far inferior to Liang Jing.

It's not just about skills or experience, it's more about the difference in pursuit.

Liang Jing is a very pure person, who pursues the pinnacle of culinary skills simply and persistently.

Sometimes Li Weiran feels that he is not like a chef, but more like a seeker of truth.

Liang Jing attached too much importance to the philosophy of Taoran Ju. He regarded this philosophy as something noble and pure, as if independent of the world. Therefore, when he realized that this pure philosophy had been tarnished, he felt so painful and helpless.

But that's not what a chef does.

Chefs should never stop pursuing the ultimate deliciousness.

This was the truth Xu Qing taught him using that dish.

Li Weiran took a deep breath and said coldly: "During the special chef assessment, someone made me understand a truth. A chef should do his best to pursue the ultimate deliciousness. You only care about your own pain, but forget the responsibilities of a chef. You are no longer worthy of being a chef! Just watch from the sidelines, I will definitely save Taoranju!"

After saying that, Li Weiran ignored him and left to find other people from Taoranju to discuss the next steps with them.

There was so much to do that he couldn't handle it all by himself.

But Li Weiran's words left Liang Jing stunned.

“Chefs should do their best to pursue the ultimate in deliciousness…”

He muttered to himself, looking at the scattered empty wine bottles in front of him, and at his hands that were trembling slightly from days of drinking.

How long has it been since he picked up a kitchen knife? How long has it been since he entered the kitchen?

Ever since that incident, he had been subconsciously avoiding things, unwilling to look at those things that brought him pain.

But at this moment, he realized that his escape was also tainting this pure concept. Taoranju's concept is to strive for excellence and strive to present the most beautiful and exquisite food.

But what about him?

What kind of pursuit of excellence is this?
Li Weiran is right, he is not worthy of being a chef.

Perhaps he should have given up the position of head chef at Tao Ranju long ago.

Mandarin Garden.

Chen Yu has stayed indoors since returning to Wenhua Garden.

The chef of Wenhuayuan saw this and was very worried, but he didn't know how to persuade him.

Before, under his questioning, Chen Yu only briefly described the assessment process.

After learning that Chen Yu's most proud poetry and classics had become his fatal weakness, the chef of Wenhua Garden was speechless for a moment.

This was such a huge blow to Chen Yu that it almost negated his entire life. No wonder he became like this.

A chef came in hurriedly and said, "Chef, there is new news. It is said that the two candidates from Feihuanglou and Taoranju are also going to recreate the dishes from the special chef assessment! Originally, the reputations of these two restaurants were not very good, and the restaurants were deserted every day. Now many curious people are flocking there, and the scene is very hot! Didn't Chen Yu also enter the re-examination? Let him make the dishes from the special chef assessment! This way, our Wenhua Garden can also take advantage of this opportunity and rise to the top!"

The chef sighed, "Look at Chen Yu like this, does he look like someone who can cook? He doesn't even leave the house."

The chef said anxiously, "What should we do? If we miss such a good opportunity, there will be no next time! Chef, please go and persuade him!"

The chef had no choice but to say, "Well, okay, I'll give it a try."

Shangping Pavilion.

The chef of Shangping Restaurant said angrily, "What a joke! The dishes for the special chef assessment are actually displayed in front of irrelevant people? This has never happened before! What sanctity will the special chef assessment have in the future!"

Fang He hesitated for a moment and said, "Master, this is actually a good opportunity. Originally, only the winners of the special chef assessment would be noticed by the public. This way, other contestants can also gain fame, and the reputation of our restaurant can also be improved..."

"Stop talking! Fang He, are you learning cooking to gain fame and fortune? If so, leave here immediately!"

Seeing that his master was furious, Fang He had no choice but to shut up and stop talking.

As he walked out of the room, he heard the other chefs whispering.

“The chef is so old-fashioned!”

"That is to say, even if we don't talk about this incident, other restaurants are now introducing new dishes, and only we are still making old dishes. Only many nostalgic customers are willing to come, and we can't attract new customers at all."

"Alas, if things continue like this, Shang Ping Restaurant will not be able to compete with other restaurants, and closing down is only a matter of time."

"And this is such a great opportunity. It can help Shang Ping Restaurant gain fame and attract new customers. But the chef is not happy about it."

"After all these years, you still don't know his temper? The chef is very meticulous about cooking. Not only are his requirements extremely high, but even the slightest change is not allowed. Moreover, this is something unprecedented, he will definitely not be willing to do it."

"I think Shangping Pavilion is finished."

"Oh, stop talking and go to work."

Fang He was listening at the side, feeling conflicted within himself. Finally, he glanced at the chef's room, gritted his teeth, and walked towards the kitchen.

Even if his master wanted to expel him, at least he wanted to help Shangpingguan one more time.

(End of this chapter)